There were no cartoons projected behind me. The topic was deadly serious. My doctor was in the room. I was at Baptist Hospital in Jackson for the first of my talks on melanoma.
It was a different kind of speech.
“I stand before you today as LIVING proof of the importance of early detection of melanoma.” I began to speak. “I’m a Sagittarius, but I swear I was born under the sign of Cancer.”
For nearly thirty minutes I told my story. A story of luck, persistence, anxiety, gratefulness and 3,600 sunrises. Ten years of melanoma survival.
“You ever have a rock hit your windshield.” I continued.”If you quickly get it fixed, you can save the windshield. Otherwise, the crack spreads and the windshield is lost. Melanoma is like that. Early detection is the best guarantee of long-term survival.”
One calculator I found figured that because of the location and depth of my melanoma, I had a 80% chance of ten-year survival. I’m almost there.
“After the Cancer, I had to find H.O.P.E.”
For thirty minutes, I stood in front of a crowd of people and talked about my biggest fear.
And at the end, I was rewarded with a miraculous sight: Two ten-year Stage IV melanoma survivors met and shook hands. (Stage IV is normally fatal). I soaked in the sight.
I smiled. Seeing their embrace allowed me to find hope after all.
Wow. I have chills. You are an inspiration Marshall!
Just repaying a debt. Ramseys are famous for that sort of thing. ;-)
I was diagnosed with melanoma in November 2010. I have just came through intense Interferon treatment and am now in my 2nd phase of treatment which is 11 months of Interferon (3 injections/week). I have not allowed myself to look very much on the internet regarding this as I did not want to read of the stats. I think the doctor told me I was Stage II B (at that point in the game I dont remember much of anything he said). I am back at work, 40 hours week and feel rather well. Occasional flu-like symptoms.